FastFit® vs. Traditional Weights: What Does the Science Say?
About the study
Randomized controlled trial
The gold standard in scientific research
Independently conducted
By Western Colorado University
University purchased the equipment at full retail price
No discount, no special arrangement
Published in a peer-reviewed journal
The International Journal of Research in Exercise Physiology
FastFit® had zero involvement
In study design, data collection, analysis, or publication
Why we put our technology to the test
Most fitness brands make bold claims. Few back them up with published research.
Research is expensive, time-consuming, and risky. What if the results don’t support the marketing? What if the data tells a story you didn’t expect?
We wanted to take that risk. If our responsive resistance technology is as effective as we believe it is, then the science should speak for itself. And if it doesn’t, we’d want to know.
So we partnered with researchers at Western Colorado University—a program with deep expertise in exercise physiology—to put FastFit® through a thorough, controlled study.
Not an internal test. Not a customer survey. A randomized controlled trial with independent oversight.
What is a randomized controlled trial and why does it matter?
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is considered the gold standard in scientific research.
This isn’t a testimonial page or a marketing claim. It’s a peer-reviewed, published study that followed the same standards used in medical and clinical research.
- It’s randomized
Participants are randomly assigned to groups, which reduces the chance that pre-existing differences between people skew the results.
- It’s controlled
There’s a control group (in this case, a no-exercise group) that provides a baseline for comparison.
- It’s independent
The researchers (not the company) design the study, collect the data, run the analysis, and write the findings.
A note on independence
Can a 15-minute workout really outperform 45 minutes of traditional weight training?
You've probably heard us say that FastFit® delivers better results in less time. And you've probably wondered: where's the evidence?
Study Overview
How was the study designed?
Forty-five healthy men and women—ages 18 to 65—who had not done resistance training in at least six months were randomly assigned to one of three groups:
FastFit® group
Responsive resistance training, 2x per week
Traditional weights group
Moderate-intensity resistance exercise (free weights/machines), 2–3x per week
Control group
No exercise
All participants were tested at baseline, at the 6-week midpoint, and again after 12 weeks. Researchers measured:
- Muscular strength (1-rep max and 5-rep max across 10 exercises)
- Body fat percentage
- Waist circumference
- Body weight
- Cardiovascular fitness (VO2max)
No changes to diet or lifestyle were required. This was a real-world test of what happens when people just show up and train.
What were the results?
How much stronger did participants get?
At 12 weeks, the FastFit® group showed significantly greater strength gains than both the traditional weights group and the control group in nearly every exercise tested.
Strength was the primary outcome of this study. Researchers tested every participant on 10 different exercises using both 1-rep max (the heaviest weight you can lift once) and 5-rep max (the heaviest weight you can lift five times).
Select strength improvements (1-rep max):
“The 20-minute thing is a cheat code.
I would never have imagined I’d gain the amount of muscle that I have just by going to a workout once or twice a week for literally less than 20 minutes.”
– Layla
Does responsive resistance training change your body composition?
The FastFit® group reduced body fat by 4.4 percentage points in 12 weeks, compared to 1.7 points for the traditional weights group. That's roughly 2.5x more fat loss.
Why does this matter for you?
Can strength training improve cardiovascular health?
The FastFit® group averaged 15-minute sessions, compared to 45 minutes for the traditional weights group.
That’s one-third the workout time. And the weekly time commitment was 30-45 minutes total for FastFit®, compared to 90-135 minutes for traditional training.
Was the training safe?
The researchers noted that the participants were representative of the typical U.S. adult population—young to middle-aged, not currently exercising, and carrying various health risk factors like excess weight and elevated cholesterol.
In other words, these weren’t elite athletes in perfect condition. They were everyday people. And responsive resistance kept them safe while delivering exceptional results.
This aligns with the broader research consensus: the risk of injury from properly supervised resistance exercise is extremely low—and significantly lower than the health risks of remaining inactive.
What do these results mean for you?
You don't need more time. You need better technology.
Stronger, faster
1.5–2x greater strength gains than traditional weights
Leaner
2.5x more fat loss
Fitter
3.5x greater improvement in cardiovascular fitness
Safer
Zero reported injuries
More efficient
Results achieved in one-third the time
These outcomes were measured in 12 weeks. With just two sessions per week. In workouts that averaged 15 minutes.
Personalized, Adaptive Resistance Training is Superior to Traditional Resistance Exercise — A Randomized, Controlled Trial
Citation
Full study citation and transparency disclosure
Authors
Lance C. Dalleck, Ph.D.; Aidan M. Dalleck; Bryant R. Byrd
Institution
High Altitude Exercise Physiology Program, Western Colorado University, Gunnison, CO
Published in
International Journal of Research in Exercise Physiology, Vol. 16, No. 2, Spring 2021
Study type
Randomized controlled trial
Participants
45 healthy men and women, ages 18–65
Duration
12 weeks
Our commitment to transparency
We believe you should have access to the same information we do. Here’s what we want you to know about this study:
- Muscular strength (1-rep max and 5-rep max across 10 exercises)
- Body fat percentage
- Waist circumference
- Body weight
- Cardiovascular fitness (VO2max)
We share these details because transparency isn’t a footnote—it’s how we do business. The research stands on its own.
See the results for yourself
Your free intro session includes:
- 40 minutes, one-on-one with one of our certified coaches
- A full review of your health history and fitness goals
- A guided workout on the FastFit® machines (3 total exercises)
- A no-pressure review of membership options
See the results for yourself
Your free intro session includes:
Yes—I’m ready to schedule my free intro session
- (888) 803-6813
Faq
Do I really only need to work out twice a week?
How is FastFit different from traditional weightlifting or gym workouts?
Traditional workouts often require you to choose weights, which can lead to undertraining (read: less-than-optimal results) or injury. FastFit’s Adaptive Resistance™ technology adjusts resistance in real-time to match your strength, ensuring you get the most effective workout possible in less time.
Additionally, a recent study showed that the FastFit group lost 2.5 times the amount of fat compared to a Weight Lifting group over 12 weeks. This is due to the higher glycogen burn during each session, which improves insulin sensitivity and reduces fat storage.
What is Adaptive Resistance?
Adaptive Resistance™ technology uses patented, motorized resistance and computer software to give you the perfect workout every time. The system dynamically adjusts the resistance you receive, in real-time, to automatically provide precisely the right amount of resistance for every rep of every set.
This means you never have to choose weights or worry about miscalculations—our technology handles it all, so you can focus entirely on your performance.
Is FastFit safe for beginners?
What kind of results can I expect with FastFit?
Do you offer nutrition or fat-loss support?
Our fat-loss program begins with developing muscle in your workouts and tracking your progress in the app.
From there, we connect you to the best, evidence-based fat-loss tools available.
- Macro Factor: manages your calories and macros scientifically
- Factor Meals: high-protein, ready-to-go meal prep
- GLP-1 Medical Support: affordable access through our trusted partner